Time Magazine Person Of The Year 2012 Includes 'Undocumented Immigrants' As Only Latino Nominee

Yadira Garcia, left, of the Arizona Dream Act Coalition, holds up a sign in protest as she joins young immigrants as they sit in the waiting area of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012, in Phoenix. Brewer's order issued Wednesday says she's reaffirming the intent of current Arizona law denying taxpayer-funded public benefits and state identification to illegal immigrants. Young illegal immigrants could start applying Wednesday with the federal government for work permits under the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The program defers deportations for young illegal immigrants if they meet certain criteria. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

This year Latinos helped swing a presidential election, spoke at prime time spots during both party conventions, and emerged as one of the most coveted voter groups in the country.

Last year “The Protester” took the award, a clear choice in a year of protest movements around the globe, including Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street.

An invisible population stepped forward on June 15, 2012, to stake its claim to the American Dream. On that day, President Obama declared that certain undocumented immigrants — a group simply labeled "illegal" by many — would not be subjected to deportation, under broad-ranging conditions.

So far, the undocumented’s prospects don’t look so good. The candidate placed 17th out of 40 as of midday Tuesday, well behind non-person candidates like the Mars Rover and the Higgs Boson Particle. Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy currently holds the lead, followed by North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

Time Magazine Person Of The Year 2012 Includes 'Undocumented Immigrants' As Only Latino Nominee

Latino People Of The Year Skipped By Time

1/ 5

Marco Rubio

Tea Party-backed Marco Rubio leapt to prominence this year, amid speculation that GOP candidate Mitt Romney might pick the Cuban-American as a running mate. Now the GOP is looking to Rubio as a rising Hispanic star who can help the party make up for Romney's poor performance among Latino voters.